Redesign and photo journalism

Barbara Kelly, Cocoa FL — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:04:03 GMT

I don't know about all that stuff Robert, but when I'm looking for coverage of a breaking news story, I'm on MSNBC.com. I hope the redesign will provide the same easy access to news.

Redesign and photo journalism

Gregg Johnson, Lincoln, Nebraska — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:27:33 GMT

Robert Hood wrote: "Our cover and section fronts have had a certain look. The visual recipe boils down to a simple picture with negative space that allows for type within the picture."

Well Robert, the type within the negative space of the picture creates a POWERFUL effect that immediately draws the eye. That is precisely what a well designed page should do and MSNBC pages have done that better than anyone else for many years now, specifically because of the visual recipe you have used. I have a collection of about 100 saved images of landmark Headline-Photos from MSNBC over the years.
They include:

'RISE AGAIN' *Bush vows to rebuild New Orleans, Gulf Coast

RECORD LOW NBC-WSJ poll *Bush's approval rating drops again

'I DIDN'T WANT WAR' *At press conference, Bush fiercely defends Iraq policy

RUNSFELD RESIGNS *Former CIA chief Gates tapped as replacement

'NO REVIEW OR DELAY' *Iraqi PM vows Saddam execution will happen

STICKING TO HIS GUNS *Cheney reasserts disputed al-Qaida-Saddam link claim

ROVE RESIGNS *Top Bush aids leaving at end of month

GONZALES OUT *Embattled attorney general has resigned, officials say

These ImageAndHeadline JPGs are to MSNBC, what Norman Rockwell was to the Saturday Evening Post.

So rather that complain, here's what I suggest: Reserve a square space at the top of your layout that lets you insert a vertical OR horizontal image. Overlay type where it best works. Add neutral background to the bottom or side if needed, to fill the format. But Keep it one JPG so that you can add drop shadows or appropriate effects as needed.

My guess is that the goal of MSNBC's code monkeys is to make the headline dynamic, changeable by any intern who can use a keyboard. If you think like a programmer then that's just brilliant, but if you think like a reader who understands the power of graphics, the kind of reader who saved all of those old Saturday Evening Posts, then that just idiotic.

Redesign and photo journalism

Alice Carney, EG, RI — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 23:02:13 GMT

Please don't change the format too much! It's the only site I visit for news as it's easy to get around.

Redesign and photo journalism

Jeff Madison, WI — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 23:51:27 GMT

Hmmm..before all of you at MSNBC think this is an extremely high concept creation worthy of critical thought and analysis - like a painting hanging in the Louvre, go to cnn.com. Your redesign and CNN's website look remarkably the same.

Redesign and photo journalism

Pat Furrie, Deltona, Florida — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 11:45:54 GMT

I concur with Gregg Johnson: the type on the negative space of the pictures is part of MSNBC's look.

But the redesign appears to be for other reasons, too. Ad space has increased in size (at least the areas near the top of the page) with one large block equal to what is on the current page, with a second smaller block below that which doesn't already exist. In addition, the ads have been move up the page to make them even more prominent. And while making the ads more prominent, they've moved the headline item down the page a bit. The largest move appears to be the navigation bar, which is now significantly further down the page, and is going to cause many users to have to scroll down the page in order to get at some of the items.

I'm sure MSNBC did studies and focus groups and had many long, protracted management meetings over the minutiae of the new design. Many MSNBC.com redesign changes in the past have been good. And while some of the pending new design may be positive (removing upper margin on page, moving masthead up, nice graphic change in masthead, potential better search-ability), there are enough other changes which may negate the few positives... and potentially provide the tipping point I need to begin a search for a new primary news provider. Thank you for the past ten years of news, its been fun.

Redesign and photo journalism

Cindy, St.George Utah — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:59:45 GMT

I think I understand what Robert Hood is saying. It isn't just editing for and placing type on pictures. It is that the old design forces an approach. They essentially have one visual solution. I think I understand how that could be limiting, even restraining.

Redesign and photo journalism

Mae Finney, — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:52:24 GMT

I do not wish to read all the fine print. I like the news to be headlines and I can choose on what subject I wish to be informed. Your concept now I like. I find CNN's main page to be too much.

Redesign and photo journalism

r barber, mt baldy, CA — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:56:17 GMT

the comments about graphic power and originality
are right on.. the 3 examples that are supposed
to be 'bad old images' are much more powerful
than the new way.. photos surrounded by text, no
matter how 'floatable etc' are run-of-the-mill..
reconsider the use of, at least, a headline image.
some of the other new features look very nifty.
..R

Redesign and photo journalism

Frances D. Williams, Fort Myers, Fla. — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:51:57 GMT

Super

Redesign and photo journalism

Christine Durrenberger, Hurricane, WV — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 23:52:42 GMT

No matter what, just make sure it's Mac-friendly!

Redesign and photo journalism

walter passarella, Oshawa, Ont., Canada — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 14:24:59 GMT

Keep this in uppermost in mind...not all change is for the better and change for the sake of change is just plain bad. I like the old (currant) format.

Redesign and photo journalism

Sally Han, Fort Lauderdale, FL — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 14:35:33 GMT

The new design looks great! I'm sure it was not easy to try and find the 'right photo' with the proper negative space for the headline/section fronts without losing integrity for the design of the page.

The new site has a much cleaner feel and makes the site look more current and less dated. Also, I like the improvements you've made to the navigation. It's well organized and will help the viewers in finding what they need more efficiently.

Nicely done!

Redesign and photo journalism

George Myers, Wakefield, RI — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 15:13:38 GMT

At last you've made the website fill the whole screen at 100% instead of having all that blank space on the right side. BUT I hate the drop-down ad at the top that seems to drop down just when I don't want it to. Very irritating. But then again, I hate ALL ads.

Redesign and photo journalism

CP, White City, Oregon — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 20:36:23 GMT

It looks like CNN.com and it looks like FoxNews.com and it doesn't work well with a Firefox browser (it works even worse with the newest version of IE). I am not impressed so far... guess I will have to wait to see if it improves...